Disordered Eating in Midlife + Women is Hiding in Plain Sight

In the past few weeks, I've heard from you as women in midlife and beyond who've struggled with chronic dieting or disordered eating earlier in life and are feeling those old patterns creeping back in. 

Lapsing into your old ED thoughts and behaviors is understandable.

What's different this time? You may feel like your ED behaviors are hiding in plain sight. No one seems to notice; it is your secret. 

Eating disorders in midlife and beyond are rarely recognized as the serious problem they are for several reasons:

• the face of eating disorders is typically seen as young and thin (and white, able-bodied, female, and cis-gendered). In reality, eating disorders are experienced by all types of human beings. 

• eating disorders in midlife and beyond are more common than you might think 

• less than 6%of those with eating disorders are "medically underweight." Eating disorders occur in bodies of all shapes and sizes. 

• struggles with disordered eating may resurface with the stress of big life changes common in midlife and beyond: the death of loved ones, illness, divorce, job changes, and kids leaving home. 

• the normal body changes that occur with perimenopause, menopause, and aging open windows of vulnerability in a culture that sees these changes as a problem. 

• ageist beliefs and fears inside and outside of us contribute to a drive toward harmful diet/wellness culture. 

• the relentless pressure to maintain a young and thin appearance contributes to an increase in disordered eating, a serious threat to the well-being of women in midlife and beyond

If this resonates with you, let's talk about some of the ways you can protect yourself. 

• First, please know it is never too late and you are never too old to heal your relationship with your body, food, and movement!

• Inventory your environment-are there social media accounts, magazines, shows, influencers and "health coaches" that: cause you to doubt yourself and your choices, trigger judgemental and critical thoughts about yourself-especially your body, or send you to the land of "shoulds"? Do not hesitate to unfollow, mute, unsubscribe, and turn that mess off! 

• Remember, your mind, body and spirit are brilliant and wise. Take the time to affirm this throughout your day. Creating more connection to your own wisdom and listening to your instincts will protect you from the external pull back to your ED thoughts. Surround yourself with sources and support that lift you up!

• Times of change, stress, illness and overwhelm increase your tendency to use your default coping skills. Times such as these open a window of vulnerability to your old patterns, such as over-focusing on getting your eating, exercise and body "right". This increases your risk of lapsing into your ED thoughts and behaviors. Challenging times require MORE tending to and caring for yourself (I know, its a cruel catch-22) and less pushing yourself around. 

• My go-to reminder for myself and for you: 

Replace thoughts of Control with thoughts of Care.

Thank you for sharing your stories with me. I adore the community we are building together.